Fickell not kicking anyone off the team

COLUMBUS -- Ohio State coach Luke Fickell said both Dan Herron and DeVier Posey will remain as members of the OSU football team despite their NCAA infractions.

Posey and Herron, along with guard Marcus Hall, are suspended indefinitely because they received excessive compensation for jobs they worked for a Cleveland-based construction company.

The suspension, announced on Monday, comes on the heels of a five-game suspension the pair, along with Mike Adams and Solomon Thomas, received for their part in a memorabilia-for-tattoos scandal.

While Adams and Thomas will return for the Buckeyes' game at Nebraska on Saturday, Posey and Herron will not.

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But Fickell said their place on the team is not in jeopardy and dismissing them from the team is not being considered right now.

"Those guys are part of who we are right now and part of what we do," Fickell said. "We need each and every one of them, whatever role they have."

Monday's announcement that Herron and Posey are indefinitely suspended is another big hit to a struggling OSU program. After last Saturday's 10-7 loss to Michigan State, in which the OSU offense was largely ineffective, many OSU players spoke of the uplifting affect the return of Herron, Posey, Adam and Thomas would have.

While Adams will be a much-needed addition to the offensive line and Thomas will be a solid addition to the defense, the absence of Herron and Posey -- including the question of just how long they will be out -- probably wipes away any of last weekend's giddy anticipation of their return.

Fickell said he quoted legendary basketball coach John Wooden when addressing his team.

"Don't whine, don't complain and don't make excuses," Fickell said. "That's what we've got to be able to do and it starts from the top down with all of us coaches.

"When we go out there today, there won't be a head down, there won't be anybody whining or moping. ... we won't allow it."

Despite missing the first five games, Adams (6-foot-8, 320 pounds) is listed as the starter at left tackle for Saturday's game. The starter at left tackle for the first five game, Andrew Norwell, will start at left guard next to Adams, with regular left guard Jack Mewhort moving over to the right side to take over where Hall has been rotating with Corey Linsley.

"One thing Mike will bring to us is confidence," Fickell said of Adams. "He's a guy who plays with that confidence level. Adding him to the mix will do nothing but help us up front."

Fickell is hopeful Thomas can add to the defensive end depth, where J.T. Moore and John Simon see much of the starting time.

Thomas, Fickell said, broke his leg in the spring game and has been working his way back into playing condition ever since.

Ohio State has 10 sacks through five games, with linebacker Etienne Sabino (two) leading the way.

"I would hope (Thomas contributes)," Fickell said. "We have to see how he works and competes out there. That's what Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are about."

In other news from Tuesday's press conference:

o Fickell said Braxton Miller is still his team's starting quarterback. Miller threw for 56 yards and ran for negative-27 (including sack yardage) against Michigan State.

He will not be on a short leash against Nebraska, with Joe Bauserman waiting in the wings.

"We don't want him to ever think that," said Fickell, reiterating what he has said all year that the team needs both quarterbacks. "I don't want him to ever think 'You're on a short leash and we don't have any faith in you.'"

o Receiver Verlon Reed tore his ACL against Michigan State and will miss the remainder of the season. Listed as the co-starter at Reed's spot are freshmen Evan Spencer and T.Y. Williams.

o Fickell did not have injury updates on receiver Corey "Philly" Brown (ankle) or defensive end Nathan Williams (knee), but he did say Williams return is doubtful. Brown's status will be cleared up as the week progresses, but Fickell hopes he will return after missing three straight games.